Camp-A-Palooza

Ten-year-old Hazel Vogel of Towson is currently in Les Misérables, a production of NETworks, a touring company. From Minneapolis to Cincinnati and yes, Baltimore’s Hippodrome, Hazel has been playing young Cosset. “Ever since Hazel could talk, she could sing,” says her mother, Kristin Vogel. “At age two she took ballet. And at three she was singing everything from Frosty the Snowman to Lady Gaga. We went to the Hippodrome as a family and before we knew it, she had memorized the words to Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, and Grease.”

Like any little girl, Hazel went to different camps, including sleepaway at Sandy Hill on the Eastern Shore and a cooking camp. She played soccer and did gymnastics. “But her true passion was singing and dancing,” says Vogel. So, in 2020, at age seven, her parents found the perfect camp for her, iMAGiNATiON 101 Summer Arts Camp, where children have the unique opportunity to be part of the musical theater world through classes taught by outstanding performers.

Today, the camp market has definitely widened from the s’mores and crocheted potholder day camps of yesteryear. Camps range from traditional day and overnight camps to specialty camps like the one Hazel attended. Traditional overnight camps have ramped up their facilities and offerings by adding activities that pertain to our changing world and where kids have an opportunity to try something totally different. Arts and crafts no longer means making lanyards, popsicle projects, and tile trivets. A camp might have pottery, silverworks, and even glassblowing. Other choices might be digital music, cooking, digital photography, and STEM programs.

Marty Rochlin, director of Camp Airy, an all-boys overnight camp that’s celebrating its 100th birthday, says, “We have something for everyone. Whether it’s to express himself on the basketball court, in the creative arts studio, on the stage, or in the kitchen, we have it.”

“The camp now offers go-karting, BMX biking, skateboarding, zip-lining, scooters, ropes courses, climbing, caving, and outdoor cooking,” he continues. “Over the last few summers, we have added STEAM [Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math]. For example, at the woodshop, kids aren’t just doing crafts, but actually designing and building.”

When parents think of specialty camps, they should think beyond tennis, golf, computer, and music, though those are still going strong. There is cooking, programs focused on teamwork, self-reliance and leadership skills, wilderness skill-building, circus, drones, debate, and STEM camps. Specialty camps are usually shorter, averaging one week to two. There are also camps for kids with dyslexia, asthma, and diabetes. And if you want a camp with a little religion mixed in, you can find that, too. Camps are on college campuses, at private schools, by the Chesapeake Bay, in the country, and in the mountains. Many day camps offer extended-day programs.

Stacie Gottlieb, the summer camp director at St. Paul’s School, says, “This summer we have added Junior Drone Pilot, Robot X Games, and Circus Camp Stars. Robot X Games is a weeklong competition filled with some of the most exhilarating games and races ever experienced in a summer camp setting, including BMX Big Air, Stadium Super Trucks, Street Luge, SnowMobile Freestyle, and Moto X Quarter Pipe.”

All campers build, test, and race X Game-themed robots to compete in some of X Games’ most popular events. Moreover, campers will invent new events, building and shaping their own racetracks, obstacle courses, and barricades. Gottlieb says these experiences give kids exposure to new technology, and creative problem-solving, in a friendly competitive environment.

These camps join such old favorites in the St. Paul’s program as sports camps, Jedi Engineering LEGO, Cupcake Wars, and Baking Bootcamp. The cooking camps, operated by Tiny Chefs, are some of the most popular at St. Paul’s. Anna Reeves, Tiny Chefs’ founder, says, “Baking creates an amazing opportunity for kids to flex their independence, boost confidence, and take risks. And of course, they use math, science, and reading, and learn to work in small groups.”

WHAT YOU SHOULD ASK THE CAMP

◼ What is the philosophy and flavor of the camp?
◼ Who is the director and what is their background?
◼ Where do they get their staff from?
◼ How do they train them?
◼ How do they inspire their counselors?
◼ What is the age of the counselors?
◼ Do you have many counselors coming back?
◼ How do you communicate with parents
◼ How do they handle homesickness? (Overnight camp)
◼ How do they meet individual needs?
◼ Do they have a nurse or doctor or both on staff?

WHY CAMP?

Tom Rosenberg, president and CEO of the American Camp Association (ACA), says, “At camp everything is 100 percent in person.” Children have the opportunity to participate in human-powered activities and to benefit from personal and primary relations. “It’s something that’s missing today,” says Rosenberg. “Communicating, socializing, collaborating, solving problems, and listening are all eyeball-to-eyeball.

All these skills will be so important in their future.”

Remember Hazel? She went to iMAGiNATiON 101 for two summers. In 2020 virtually and the next year in person. “When I got the leading role, playing Matilda at age eight, it definitely gave me a lot of confidence,” she says. “And I made so many friends. They’ll text me good luck and
they keep in touch.” Hazel’s father, Scott Vogel, adds, “The camp really created a community where the kids were very supportive of each other.”

While every child isn’t destined for the Hippodrome, Rosenberg says, “The ACA believes that camp (day or overnight) provides an environment created just for children. At camp they learn real-life skills, develop self-esteem, and gain a sense of independence and community.

Whether children are playing, exploring nature, conquering new heights, or becoming part of a camp family, they are creating memories and skills that will last a lifetime.”

CAMP 101
If you’re looking at camps for your child, here are some questions to ask as you explore your options:

◼ Do you want a specialized, focused, or broad base camp?
◼ Do you want single gender or coed?
◼ Do you want the camp to be local or can it be further away?
◼ How long are the sessions? Do you want one week, two weeks, or more?
◼ What activities are offered?
◼ Do you want a structured camp where your child gets to experience everything or do you want one where your child can choose the activities they want to do?
◼ What interests does your child have? STEM, music, dance, sports?

2023 CAMP RESOURCE GUIDE

The following is a list of just some of the camps in or near Maryland offering everything from religious study and computer skills to sports training. Go to baltimoremagazine.com for a comprehensive list. For the most up-to-date information on rates and dates and to register, contact the camp directly or visit their website.

* Listings with an asterisk have an advertisement in the section that may provide more information.

ALL-MARYLAND SOCCER CAMP*
1000 Hilltop Cir., Baltimore, MD 21250. 410-292-5927. all-maryland.org.
Voted one of Maryland’s best sports camps, All-Maryland Soccer Camp gives kids of all skill levels a fun soccer experience while helping to improve skills. The camp is coed and open to campers ages six-13. Camp sessions are held at CCBC Essex June 19-30.

THE ASSOCIATED’S CENTER FOR JEWISH CAMPING
101 W. Mount Royal Ave., Baltimore, MD 21201. 410-369-9237. associated.org.
The Associated’s Center for Jewish Camping is the focal point of Jewish camp advocacy and activity in the Baltimore Jewish community. Through community outreach, education, and public awareness, the center aims to maximize the number of children attending Jewish camp, ensuring a vibrant Jewish future.

BALTIMORE CLAYWORKS
5707 Smith Ave., Baltimore, MD 21209. 410-578-1919. baltimoreclayworks.org.
Baltimore Clayworks offers 10 weeks of full-day camps for children ages six-nine and 10-12 years, and half-day camps for those 12-16. Campers will become masters of their craft while exploring hand-building and potter’s-wheel techniques to create their own inspired clay masterpieces. All camps run Monday-Friday, and class fees include all materials and firing. Classes will be from June 20-August 25. Call for rates and session dates.

BALTIMORE LAB SCHOOL
2220 St. Paul St., Baltimore, MD 21218. 410-261-5500. baltimorelabschool.org.
Designed for students in grades one-12 with learning differences, this program has a low student-teacher ratio, onsite specialists, and an innovative arts-based curriculum. Call for rates and session dates. After-school program available. Programs from July 3-28.

BALTIMORE CHESAPEAKE BAY OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL
1900 Eagle Dr., Baltimore, MD 21207. 410-448-1721. outwardboundbaltimore.org/programs/classic.
Baltimore Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School has been changing lives through challenge and discovery for more than 30 years. This summer, students ages 12 and up can experience day camp and expeditions such as eight-day backpacking and rock climbing on the Appalachian Trail and a canoeing adventure along the Potomac River. The Outward Bound curriculum and expert instructors help to develop leadership, confidence, compassion, and skills for the real world. Let your child discover “their new possible” during one of Outward Bound’s challenging, character-building adventures this summer. Call for rates and session dates.

BETH TFILOH*
400 Delight Meadows Rd., Reisterstown, MD 21136. 410-517-3451. btcamps.org.
Located on 70 acres, “BT Camps” offers a range of traditional and specialty camps for kids ages 2-15. The site includes ballfields, hiking trails, the Sachs Family Challenge Course with two 60-foot towers, a creative arts center, the Sachs Nature Center, a regulation-sized multi-purpose sports court, and an amphitheater for special events. The aquatics area encompasses three pools, dual water slides, a boating lake with a 60-foot-tall, 90 foot-long slide, kayaks, corcls, water mats, and a splash pad interactive water area. Camps run in eight week-long sessions from June 19-August 11.

CIRCUS CAMP STARS
Multiple locations, including McDonogh School, St. Paul’s School in Howard County through HoCo Recreation and Parks, and Key School. 410-833-6763. circuscampstars.com.
If you can picture your little clown happily learning to juggle, walk a tightrope, spin plates, or ride a unicycle, Circus Camp Stars may just be the ticket. Aimed at kids ages seven to 15, the camp is taught by full-time profession entertainers—many are Ringling Bros.-trained—and includes a Friday performance for campers to show off their newly learned skills. Ten one-week sessions beginning June 12.

COLUMBIA ACADEMY
Five locations in Columbia, Ellicott City, and Fulton. 410-312-7413. columbiaacademy.com.
Elementary and middle school camp is open to children from five years old to ninth grade. Campers will explore cityscapes from around the world, from mountain expeditions to rainforest adventures to the treasures of the outback. With hands-on experiments and engaging games, they will build, investigate, and play their way through the summer. Activities include weekly field trips, nature exploration, crafts, science, PE, skits, and more. Camps run from June 12-August 18.

GETTYSBURG COLLEGE SUMMER ACADEMIC PROGRAMS*
300 N. Washington St., Campus Box 2457, Gettysburg, PA 17325. 717-337-6924. gettysburg.edu/summercamps.
On a beautiful campus in a world-famous town, Gettysburg College offers opportunities for rising 10th through 12th graders. One-week programs are led by subject-matter experts–Gettysburg College faculty, staff, and students. Subjects include psychology, creative writing, civic engagement, 3D printing, and Civil War Studies. Check website for rates, session dates, and residential (overnight) camp information.

GILMAN SUMMER!*
5407 Roland Ave., Baltimore, MD 21210. 410-323-3800. gilman.edu/community/gilman-summer.
Enrichment and skill-building programs for kids in preschool through 10th grade are designed and taught by Gilman faculty and field experts. The programs will be chock-full of enrichment opportunities and action-packed fun activities. Some of the programs include aquatics, mini-camp division, day camp, UA Sportslab, senior camp, specialty camps, tech camps, young leaders programs, and bold summers. They also offer extended day. Camps run June 20-August 11.

GLENELG*
12793 Folly Quarter Rd., Ellicott City, MD 21042. 410-531-8600 ext. 2157. glenelg.org/summer.
Glenelg offers a variety of camps, from traditional day and sports camps to specialized camps for everyone from the budding chess player to nature explorers. There are adventure camps, and many campers can take advantage of the on-site outdoor pool. Camps are open to children from pre-kindergarten to grade 10. Camps run June 20-July 28.

HARFORD DAY SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAMS*
715 Moores Mill Rd., Bel Air, MD 21014. 410-838-4848. harfordday.org.
Offered on the beautiful 12-acre campus of Harford Day School, summer programs serve children from age three through to those entering fifth grade. (There are limited options for middle and high school.) Camps run 10 week-long sessions and every week offer programming that partners with local and statewide vendors, including Dynasty Sports Academy, Crack an Egg Cooking School, and Wildlife Adventures. There are half- and fullday options as well as extended care for an extra fee. Sessions run June 12-August 18.

HOWARD COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL
8510 High Ridge Rd., Ellicott City, MD 21043. 410-313-2787. hocoarts.org.
Programs are for children entering grades K-seven and are taught by professional artists and teachers. Each Friday, family and friends are invited to a fun exhibition spotlighting the work created throughout the week. Camps are offered in one-week, full- or half-day sessions, and there’s before- and after-care. Programs are held at the Howard County Center for the Arts. Programs are open to the public, regardless of residency, and sessions run from June 26-August 25.

ID TECH CAMPS HELD AT TOWSON UNIVERSITY
8000 York Rd., Towson, MD 21252. 1-888-709-8324. idtech.com.
Students ages seven-17 code apps, design video games, engineer robots, build a laptop, produce a YouTube series, and more. Offered are weeklong camps with day and overnight available. Kids meet new friends and gain a competitive edge for school and future STEM careers. Also available at the University of Maryland in College Park. Check the website for rates and session dates.

J CAMPS*
3506 Gwynnbrook Ave, Owings Mills, MD 21117. 410-559-2391. jcc.org.
J Camps’ programs provide a safe environment where lifelong friendships develop and a sense of family, teamwork, and camp spirit abounds. The camps are operated by a dynamic team of year-round professionals and summer staff who engage young people in everything from athletics to the arts. Programs start with Noah’s Ark for preschoolers and go through traditional day camps and specialty camps for all ages. There’s also a Counselor in Training (CIT) program and an inclusion program specially formatted for campers with a range of learning, developmental,
social, emotional, and physical disabilities. June 12-August 25.

MARYVALE PREPARATORY SCHOOL
11300 Falls Rd., Lutherville, MD 21093. 410-252-3366. maryvale.com/summer-camp.
Maryvale Preparatory School offers a range of camps to help encourage and foster children’s development inside and outside of the classroom during the summer months. There are options for sports, arts, and theater, all led by varsity coaches and respected professionals, and open to Maryvale students and those from area schools. The camps will run from June 5-July 14.

MCDONOGH SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAMS*
8600 McDonogh Rd., Owings Mills, MD 21117. 443-544-7100. mcdonogh.org.
For more than 80 years, McDonogh has been offering summer programs for campers ages four to 17, including traditional day camps, arts and academic experiences, and sports clinics. All of the almost 60 camps are conducted on McDonogh’s 800-acre campus, which includes extensive outdoor athletic fields, three playgrounds, two fishing ponds, 17 tennis courts, a state-of-the-art rock-climbing tower, and high and low ropes courses. Indoor facilities include a 54,000-square-foot field house with seven basketball courts, an aquatic center that includes an Olympic-size swimming pool, and a wrestling room. A fine arts center boasts a 580-seat theater with modern stage, lighting and sound, black box, music room, and set design room, and there are multiple computer labs, art rooms, classrooms, and dormitory space to accommodate more than 100 students. Call or visit the website for programs, dates, and rates.

MELWOOD CAMP ACCOMPLISH*
9035 Ironsides Rd, Nanjemoy, MD 20662. 301-870-3226. melwood.org/recreation-programs/camp.
Operated by Melwood, a nonprofit that supports children, youth, and adults with disabilities, Camp Accomplish offers a day camp for kids five-18 and an overnight camp for campers eight-18. At day camp, which runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., young people can engage in equestrian programs, creative arts, climbing wall activities, nature programs, culinary arts, and more. Overnight camps run Sunday to Friday. Campers enjoy the activities of day camp with the added benefit of staying in comfortable, air-conditioned cabins. Small camper groups are staffed based on each camper’s individual abilities. Call or visit the website for programs, dates, and rates.

MERCY HIGH SCHOOL’S “A MAGICAL SUMMER”*
1300 E. Northern Pkwy., Baltimore, MD 21239. 410-433-8800. mercyhighschool.com/summer-camp.
A Magical Summer at Mercy is open to rising sixth-ninth grade girls. Campers will be coached and instructed by Mercy faculty and coaches, area professionals, and Mercy Girl athletes and artists. Weekly sessions are offered in different areas, such as dance and musical theater. There are also athletic camps, such as soccer, volleyball, and lacrosse. Check the website for rates and dates.

PARK SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE – PARK CAMPS*
2425 Old Court Rd., Baltimore, MD 21208. 410-339-4120. parkcamps.com.
Park’s experienced staff welcomes children ages three-15 for an exciting summer full of adventures on their 100-acre campus. There are a wide variety of camps geared to different age groups and interests from day and specialty camps to athletic camps. Full and half-day sessions available. Camps run from June 26-July 28.

PEABODY PREPARATORY SUMMER SESSIONS*
21 E. Mt. Vernon Place, Baltimore, MD 21202. 667-208-6500. peabody.jhu.edu/preparatory.
The acclaimed music school offers many genre-specific summer programs for students, including pianists, dancers, string students, and guitarists as well as an all-inclusive music academy. Summer is an opportunity to study with the world-class faculty at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. While most programs are located at the downtown location, locations vary. Baltimore BeatLab is offered online, and the AileyCamp Baltimore dance camp is free to Baltimore City Public School students. Visit the website for specifics related to each session, including pre-requirements to enroll. June 20-August 11.

RED HOT SUMMER CAMPS AT RPCS*
5204 Roland Ave., Baltimore, MD 21210. 410-323-5500. rpcs.org/summer.
Operated by Roland Park Country School, Red Hot Summer Camps offer an abundance of options, starting with the tiniest campers (age one-five) at My First Camp, through to its new Summer Scholars program, which will offer deeper learning and educational enrichment for rising students in grades nine-12. In between are camps for every interest, from sports and the culinary arts to STEM and performing arts. Visit the website for detailed information on camps by theme and week, with multiple camps running in sessions from June 20-August 7.

SUMMER AT JEMICY
11 Celadon Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117. 410-653-2700. jemicyschool.org/community/summer-at-jemicy.
Summer at Jemicy, run by Jemicy School, which educates children with dyslexia and other related language-based learning differences, offers a new and reimagined program for the 2023 season. With more course offerings and schedule options than ever before, there is something for everyone. The coed programs are for Jemicy and non-Jemicy students. The camp for grades one-five is a perfect combination of learning and fun. At Middle School Medley (for grades six-eight) children can hone their writing, reading, and math skills, and/or choose to indulge in visual arts, science, engineering, and more. The Upper School Masterclasses (nine-12) will appeal to students who want a jump on their college essay and common application, learn to navigate the visual arts college process, or prepare for general theater auditions. Students can also refine writing, math skills, and more. Sessions run June 26-July 28.

SUMMER AT THE ST. PAUL’S SCHOOLS*
11152 Falls Rd., Brooklandville, MD 21022. 410-821-3058. stpaulsmd.org/summer.
The St. Paul’s Schools offer a range of coed and single-gender programs for children ages four-16. Located on its 120-acre campus, there is Preschool Camp, Gatorland Day, Counselor in Training, academics, sports, arts, cooking and more. In addition, this summer Junior Drone Pilot, Cooking Around the World, Circus Camp Stars, Camp Jam, World of Wizards, and Robot X Games have been added. For session dates and rates,
check the website.

SUMMER AT GARRISON FOREST*
Garrison Forest School, 300 Garrison Forest Rd., Owings Mills, MD 21117. 410-559-3433. gfs.org/summer.
Summer at Garrison Forest has a variety of options, including traditional day camps, specialty camps, and residential programs. Campers can play sports, including riding and polo, express themselves in performing arts, make STEM discoveries, learn to cook, and more. Located near I-695 on Garrison Forest’s 110-acre campus, there are week-by-week signup, after-care, lunch, and swimming options available. Ten weeks of programs for boys and girls ages three and up. Rates vary by program. Summer at Garrison Forest runs from June 5-August 11.

SUMMER CAMP AT THE ODYSSEY SCHOOL
3257 Bridle Ridge Ln., Lutherville, MD 21093. 410-580-5551. theodysseyschool.org.
The Odyssey School’s camp is a specialized five-week summer program for children with language learning differences, for first grade through eighth grade, held on the school’s 42-acre wooded campus in Baltimore County. The camp incorporates an individualized, structured academic experience in the mornings, designed to promote ongoing skills development in the areas of reading, written language, and math, followed by afternoons of outdoor activities and athletics. Full day camp is 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. and half day is 8:30 a.m.–noon. Call or check for rates and session schedule. Camp runs from June 26-July 28.